May 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 42

Fitness equipment is strategically placed alongside the two-mile trail to maximize use
and impact.

tion decisions. Finally, any improvements would need to be high-quality,
low-maintenance and durable.
" The Jervey Gantt Recreation
Complex Trail is our most heavily
used trail, " says Julie Johnson, parks
division head for Ocala. " Our goal
was to install equipment that would
appeal to all levels and ages and that
is likened to equipment you would
find in a fitness center. We have been
working with GameTime through
Dominica Recreation Products since
2008 on playground projects and
are very pleased with their products,
prices, warranties and services. "
GameTime's GTfit Advanced
Series fit the bill perfectly, as the
machines were intentionally " built
from durable, low-maintenance
materials and designed to look like
the machines you find in professional health clubs, " according to
GameTime's website. This series
of outdoor fitness products utilizes
exclusive resistance technologies to
offer a solid workout for users of all
levels.

Parks & Recreation

" Our goal was to install
equipment that would
appeal to all levels and
ages and that is likened
to equipment you would
find in a fitness center. "
Ocala park officials, GameTime
and Dominica Recreation Products
began working together in 2013 to
plan equipment types, locations and
grouping to encourage maximum use
and function. By pairing elements
such as an elliptical machine and a
chin pull-up or a lat pull-down with a
hand cycle, the team created opportunities for fun and challenging workout
experiences that could be customized
to any user's fitness level.
They also decided to start by adding
the new equipment first and planned

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to resurface the trail later when the
weather was more conducive. The
team broke ground in November 2013,
starting with city staff removing the
old equipment and prepping the areas
where the new equipment would be
installed. GameTime installers with
Fitzgerald Inc. then put the new equipment in place. " The trail was not closed
during installation, so our users were
able to watch the process, which created excitement, " says Johnson. " Installation took less than two weeks. "
Since the new features were installed, traffic along the trail has increased, and regulars have expressed
their excitement for the improvements. " The new features have been
well-received by the community, "
Johnson shares. " They like that they
can get a workout similar to what you
can get at a fitness center while walking their favorite trail in a nice outdoor
park setting. Some folks do this while
their kids are at T-ball practice or tennis lessons. "
Because of the high level of commitment to community fitness that the
improved trail showcases, it was chosen as a PlayCore National Demonstration Site for Outdoor Fitness, a significant honor for a city that strives to
promote wellness for all its residents.
" The City of Ocala has long been providing opportunities for our citizens
to lead active, healthy lives, " Johnson
says. " This project is an example of
how Ocala is continually moving fitness forward to create a better way of
life for our families. "
" The improvements to the trail
will definitely impact the community in a positive way, " she continues.
" Quality of place equates to quality
of life. "
Danielle Taylor is the Senior Editor of Parks
& Recreation Magazine (dtaylor@nrpa.org).

May 2014 - Parks & Recreation

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